Their words stung, but Seth knew they came from a place of love—just like everything in this tight-knit community. He watched as Brenda laughed with her sisters.
“All right,” Seth conceded after a long moment, a small smile breaking through his stubbornness. “I get what y’all are saying. I’ll try harder.”
“Good man,” Tim said, patting his back as they all turned to join the festivities.
*****
LATER, AFTER ALMOSTeveryone had left, Seth leaned against the porch railing, his gaze lingering on his wife, who was talking to Amy.
“Guess I’ve been looking but not really seeing,” Seth murmured to himself.
“Seeing what?” Tim’s voice drifted from behind him, as he stepped out onto the porch.
Seth turned, the wooden planks creaking under his boots. “Brenda,” he said simply.
“Ah.” Tim nodded, understanding written plain on his face. “You going to do something about it?”
“Yup. I reckon I owe her more than I’ve given.”
“Good. She deserves your time, Seth. More than the ranch does.”
“Can’t argue with that.” Seth looked away. “I tried, you know? A while back. Took her out for walks, even tried my hand at dancing. But then...the ranch needed me.”
“Seems to me,” Tim said, tipping his hat back, “the ranch will always need you. But Brenda, she might not always wait around.”
“Right again.” Seth’s jaw clenched as he faced the truth that had been gnawing at him. He had let the land, the cattle, and the endless work overshadow the woman who’d come into his life like a breath of fresh air on a muggy Texas day.
“Tomorrow,” Seth declared with newfound resolve, “I’m starting fresh. I need to show her she’s my priority.”
“Better late than never,” Tim agreed with a chuckle.
